That polenta bar you guys posted last year (I think) comes to mind immediately - but can you make polenta sans cheese/dairy?

This is a complicated group...I'm wondering if you could come up w/ 2 options, one vegan and one not, and try to keep them both GF?

black bean chilli. the non-vegans can add cheese if they wish.

I would do something like a baked potato bar or a taco bar. That way, people can add what they want. Or maybe do chili a meat version and a vegetarian version with lots of topping options for people to choose from.

As a variation to the taco bar, I'm a big fan of tex-mex rice and beans. You can set out bowls of rice, black beans, taco meat, and all the regular taco toppings (cooked and raw veggies, cheese, salsa, sour cream, black olives, jalapenos, etc). Everyone can load up their bowl with whatever they want. Easy to prepare and easy to eat. As an added bonus, it goes great with margaritas. A must for any girls night!

I highly recommend the potato kale enchiladas from Veganomicon. It's vegan, gluten-free, hearty, and delicious. I've fed them to enthusiastic carnivores who have loved the dish (and left the meal feeling full and satisfied). If you want a dish that you can bake while you socialize with your friends, this is the ticket. It also reheats well in my experience. It is prep-heavy with the delicious sauce and assembling of the enchiladas, but it's totally worth it. I suppose you could divide the recipe and make two smaller pans, one with meat, if absolutely necessary.

Cuban Moros y Cristianos (spicy black beans and white rice) in a crock-pot, with a bar of add-your-own toppings including shredded pork or ham, bacon, cheese, sour cream, avocado, tomato, raw onion, cilantro. Should fit every diet and each person can customize to suit their diet/taste.

I've got a vegan recipe, but it's not hard to find hundreds more with a quick google: I think most traditional versions are vegan.

Ratatouille and soft polenta. I've never done ratatouille in my crock pot but I have prepped it ahead of time and popped it in my roasting pan to cook while I socialize. Try the attached recipe without the chicken, just add a little veggie stock if it starts to get dry. It's super tasty and so easy. I sub tomato paste for the passata. http://girlinterruptedeating.wordpress.com/2009/05/23/roasted-chicken-with-summer-vegetables/

Instant polenta isn't as good as the slow cooked kind but you can't beat it for simplicity. Skip the cheese/butter and use some veggie stock in place of part of the water. Lots of flavour, no dairy or animals!

This combo has never failed to please a mixed-diet crowd.

A substantial quinoa salad with olives, tomatoes, roast corn, pine nuts, etc. in a lemon and OO dressing might also be a contender. It can be made ahead and is good warm, room temp. or cold. Serve with grilled or marinated mushrooms and/or wilted greens and/or stuffed roast tomatoes or peppers to round out the meal.

I had a girls' night last week and i made zucchini spaghetti and homemade red sauce and it was a healthy and light dinner that everyone liked. You can make ground beef, sausage or chicken on the side for omnivore's and cheese on the side as well. And the dish is gluten-free.

Good luck!

I second the potato kale enchiladas from Veganomicon! It's delicious and much more interesting than just rice and beans. I made it for a group of hungry friends a few years ago and it was definitely a crowd pleaser. :)

If everyone is so picky about what they eat, turn this night into a bring your own food and you supply the drinks---water would probably agree with all these people.

If you want to do soup, there is a thai curried sweet potato red lentil soup that is AMAZING!

I also really like the spinach artichoke dip from Veganomicon. We had it at christmas and no one believed there was no cheese in it :)

Maybe french onion soup using vegetable stock instead of beef. those who want the extra crunchy cheesy on top can add that?

Mugs of vegan chili over cornbread. Offer sour cream/cheese to dairy-eaters.

@ccindy was reading my mind. I'd love to sit on the porch w/a nice crock of french onion soup in my hands. I make a mean vegetarian version just by swapping out the stock (you can omit the cheese/bread/use a GF bread for some). OR a nice bowl of creamy [not cream OF] mushroom soup (I think the New Laurel's Kitchen or Deborah Madison's books have nice recipes). Oooh... or hot & sour soup. I make a veg version of this all the time.

Man, I think I need to make some soup. :-)

You know what else I make a lot when I have a mixed crowd? Flatbread pizzas - either on naan or w/dough. Offer up grilled veggies (like some marinated peppers/zucchini/onion/tomato) and maybe a base of pesto or tapenade and have some cheeses available for those who like it (smoked gouda/goat). You can find GF flatbreads or offer a bowl of rice (to top w/veggies) for those who can't eat gluten. Slap them on the grill to heat if you feel like keeping it outdoors. This way, people can create their own combos to suit their needs. Even the meat eaters like pizzas like this - although you can always have a sausage or other meat topping on the side.

Mujaddara (lentils/rice/onions) would work well and you could offer yogurt for the non-vegans. The dish itself is vegan and gluten free, and those who are vegan and/or lactose intolerant could skip the yogurt. Veggie pizza is a possibility too; just choose a recipe that doesn't use cheese.

I second chili, and vegetarian chili is easily glammed up with toppings for those who want them (cheese, sour cream [both can be vegan too!], green onions, cornbread, extra chilies). Also, you can get some gluten free beer to add to it while it's cooking!

I think your friends will be appreciative of the thought & effort you're putting in to this meal, and if anyone complains, blame it on the vegans! (Just kidding... don't blame anyone but the narrow-minded jerk who complains about the meal you're making them!)

Another vote for veggie chili or black bean chili that you can dress up with toppings and serve with tortillas (cornbread is a difficult one to make without dairy or eggs, but hey, maybe it's possible...).

my vegan african stew is a big hit with everyone:
http://theactorsdiet.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/i-dreamed-of-africa/

Continuing the votes for vegetarian chili with lots of toppings and cornbread.

I would do a mild curry using some robust veg like butternut squash -- you can serve over rice, add a salad if you want. Spicy condiments on the side for those who like their curry spicier. Naan breads on the side for those who aren't gluten-free.

I second kimberlyf0's suggestion of lentils/rice/onions and have a recipe for you too! Gluten-free, nut-free, vegan numnums that are cheap and easy to make.

<A href="http://ducksandbooks.wordpress.com/shabbos-dinners-deena-likes-to-make-2/shabbos-dinners-deena-likes-to-make/mjedrah/">http://ducksandbooks.wordpress.com/shabbos-dinners-deena-likes-to-make-2/shabbos-dinners-deena-likes-to-make/mjedrah/

Also, most Thai food can easily be made vegan and is almost always gluten and dairy free.

Happy cooking!

A Meditteranean platter, perhaps? Like stuffed grape leaves, hummus, babaganouj, tabbouleh, falafel, etc.

I say Italian! Gluten-free pasta is pretty easy to come by, and even vegetable haters can't say no to tomato sauce!

I also support the taco bar idea, and if your friends aren't too against "exotic" food, there are loads of delicious Indian recipes that are vegan and gluten free.

I third the vegan enchiladas recipe from post punk kitchen (same as Veganomicon). The sauce is delicious - even carnivores devour it.

My friends love it when I make tortilla soup- I make the broth (naturally vegan) and they bring the toppings they like; cheese, corn, chicken, avocado, etc. and everyone loads up their bowl with what they like. I found a great recipe in the LA times a few years ago, very spicy, but always delicious!